September call-ups are almost upon us. Despite monster minor league numbers, it appears the Cubs are not going to add Kris Bryant to the roster. Bryant dominated in 2014, hitting an obscene .328/.438/.674 with 43 home runs, 114 runs, 102 RBIs and even 15 steals across two levels of the minors. I couldn’t hit that in Bases Loaded on my Nintendo. While the Cubs did promote Javier Baez and Jorge Soler to get their feet wet, they seem content to leave Bryant where he is whcih in turn makes him worthless to the prospect hounds in redraft fantasy leagues.

There are two sides to the situation. On one hand Bryant could be added to the roster which gives him some major league at bats and makes all of us fantasy owners very happy. On the other hand, the Cubs could give him the full year in the minors without having to drop anybody from their 40-man roster or start his clock. That clock is important, as Bryant being called up a month or two into next seeason could buy the Cubs another year of his services should he decide to become free agent when eligible. Bryant will be worth the wait, but that’s what we’ll have to do – wait. That leaves us to figure out who is worth a look this September. Assuming that the following players will all be called up, here are some of the names (along with their 2014 MiLB stats) that I think could help fantasy owners in redraft leagues this September…

Walker has had an up and down season but he’s the arm I’m most confident in for quality innings in September. The Mariners are in the hunt and the 21-year-old right-hander could help their rotation down the stretch. Walker’s last start was not pretty (5 ER) but in his previous three starts he threw 19 innings with 29 strikeouts and six walks including a 13 K effort against Fresno.

Lindor is already primed for the majors with his glove. The question is going to be how the bat will play in the bigs. The Indians will give the 20-year-old switch hitter everyday looks at shortstop once he’s up, which has value in leagues where fantasy owners are scrambling for a middle infielder. Of the hitters listed here, I think he gets the most playing time this September. What he does with it is obviously TBD.

It seems crazy to think that the White Sox could bring Rodon up this September after drafting him in the same year, but that’s similar to how they handled Chris Sale in 2010. Rodon could have value thanks to his strikeout potential even if he pitches out of the pen. The White Sox haven’t made a decision as of this post, but Rodon has handled his Triple-A promotion nicely with 11 strikeouts in seven innings pitched and has made the case for a cup of coffee.

Franco may not get the call from the Phillies, but if he does they’ll want to get a lot of looks at their corner infielder down the stretch. The 21-year-old had a slow start to the year, but has recently turned it on again in August slashing .324/.330/.610 with seven home runs this month. He also hit for the cycle recently at Triple-A, which was exciting in itself.

He’d be the surefire number one add for September if I knew where/how he’d play. As of right now it would take an injury to one of the Dodgers’ current outfielders for Pederson to get any regular starts. Still, he’s got that power/speed combo that fantasy owners love and we’ll be all over him in 2015 for sure.

The great unknown is always sexy. Given how successful recent unknown Cuban imports like Yasiel Puig and Jose Abreu have been, it’s not too big a stretch to put some faith in Castillo as well. It’s expected that he’ll be up with the Red Sox sometime in September. A Rajai Davis type performance down is a possibility and we’re all excited to get our first look at the 27-year-old outfielder this afternoon in his first GCL game.

7. Alexander Guerrero – 45 R, 16 HR, 55 RBI, 4 SB, .332/.371/.614

Guerrero suffered the freak ear injury earlier this year but he has put up solid numbers and should be up with the Dodgers this September. Without an injury to one of the Dodgers’ regular stars Guerrero could find himself limited to a super utility role. I wouldn’t expect much value outside of deep or NL-only leagues until next season.

After struggling with the big club, Heaney continues to put up solid strikeout numbers while showing good control in the minor leagues. A cup of coffee this September could give Heaney another chance to show why he was a top prospect and an interesting option in mixed fantasy leagues for 2015.

Like many of the names on this, it’s still undecided whether Meyer will be called up or not. The 24-year-old right-hander has certainly deserved it with his performance this year, but he is on an innings limit and will likely be used out of the bullpen if he gets a shot.

Bradley struggled in his most recent start, allowing five earned runs and five walks in just 1/3 of an inning. That’s pretty terrible and it’s the kind of start nobody can afford when they are chasing a fantasy championship in September. He still has great stuff and will be highly regarded entering 2015, but I can’t put him at the top of a list like this after a performance like that. It may be a moot point anyway, as Bradley has been named to the AFL roster and could be skipped over for a September call-up.

Moya’s 34 home runs came after a 2013 season in which he hit just 12 dingers. A 30% strikeout percentage accompanies that power and the 22-year-old outfielder really has no position in the Tigers’ already crowded outfield if he does get the call.

The Astros are another team with a crowded outfield and Santana is still looking for his first major league hit. I don’t think he’ll provide much value in fantasy next month but he has some pop in his bat and could run into a homer if/when he does get the call.

1. Bryant is a near-lock to be in the bigs next year, no?
2. How do you compare Bradley and Shipley, next year and beyond?
3. With all the movement due to injuries, etc. in Texas, does Ryan Rua have a chance to make an impact next year as a utility IF?

I have done tough decisions to make. But a good place to be in. Choosing five out of:
Freeman Stanton beltre arenado upton polanco soler sale Scherzer.

I traded away a bunch if early round picks this so I only pick twice in the first 6 rds. I can possible acquire puig and rendon but it will cost me soler polanco and my 7&9 th rd pick. And then I don’t pick until the 11th.
Thoughts?

@Mike: coolman thanks. I’m not I e for keeping pitchers either but with having sale and Scherzer to choose from and my pick shituation I may consider it this year. Not sure if ill be able to pull off that deal for rendon/puig but I’m trying like hell.
Looking like I might go freeman Stanton arenado upton and then one of polanco Scherzer or sale

I really like your insight with these articles. Getting back to Gallo, do you think his power will carry over in the majors? How would you rank him beside Polanco and all of the young Cubs hitters?
Thanks again.

I think it’s too early to tell. He apparently has made adjustments, but is still striking out a lot. He’s going to have to make some contact, otherwise he’ll fall in that all or nothing category of players who don’t end up being top fantasy picks.

I’d take the Cubs’ crop and Polanco over Gallo right . Even Baez, who has his own K problems.

One thing to remember is that he was still one of the youngest players in Double A. The raw power is there, so it’s just about development.

sry for the misplaced post here but have to make a move ahead of lineups locking in an hour.

1 – my Kennys, Ryu and Alex Wood for his VMart and Gerrit Cole? (Cole has 2 start week coming up, wood/ryu are 1 start rest of the way). was going to keep Wood next seasion but trying to win now and VMart bat is hot.

corner infielder down the stretch David Wright or Kenny Vargas. I put a curse on Vargas a week ago by claiming the dude off waivers. Do you think my black magic could have a reverse on wright. Could he be the Duppy conqueror. Yes me friends please set me free again

I was wondering if you could help me with my OF/UTIL situation. I am currently rostering T.HUNTER and K,DAVIS. But neither has done much to impress me lately. Would you drop either or both for any of
O.ARCIA
A.GARCIA
K.VARGAS
A.EATON
D.STUBBS
J.WILLINGHAM
J.PEDERSON
M.BETTS

So in our league we get to keep one minor league player next season. The only rule is that he must end the previous season in the minors. This year I kept Springer. The year before Myers. I have a decent track record at this. Right now I am holding on to Bryant and Bundy. I love Bryant and he will likely be the guy I keep. Especially since he will be 3B and I will not be keeping Longoria among my 5 regular keepers. Although Bundy will have a lot of value too. Our league’s scoring system is a rather pitcher friendly. The top pitcher always greatly outscores the top batter. Right now Victor Martinez is the highest scoring hitter with 464 points. Kershaw is the top pitcher with 722 points. As a matter of fact, there are 36 pitchers (RP included) with more than 464 points. And if Bundy is going to retain his RP eligibility next year, being able to use him at RP would be a big bonus.

Can you think of any other players that will end this season in the minors and make an impact in the majors next season?

Hey Mike, I’m can’t make a decision regarding my 2B slot and I need some input on what to do. Ackley or Prado? They are both hot schmomatos right now but Seattle is playing 7 games on the road this week as opposed to 6 at home for the Yanks. Thanks

and what about Puig? one hot month and just a whole lot of nothing. have him for $35/200 going into next year and seriously thinking about not keeping him, he’s being outproduced by Blackmon $5 and Span $3. beginning to think he has holes in his swing and big league arms all have the report.

Would you just bench the guy and see how things look after spring next year, or deal him for any value at this point? I would have dumped him on the wire months ago based solely on his numbers. uugh…

I absolutely have to win this week to make the playoffs and I’d like to have an extra streaming spot. I have 2 already but I used 1 for Carrasco cause he pitches twice this week and I’d like a 2nd so I can jump ahead a day on the competition cause these guys sit by the computer and start picking guys up as soon as the clock turns. It’s hard cause I have,
F- Her
Cueto
Fister
Carrasco( 2 day week streamer0
Porcelo
Shoemaker
Fiers
Cole
Lance Lynn
Stroman
Thanks Man!!

They said Arencibia might not be getting playing time down the stretch. The hitter tron likes him though this week. Yan Gomes on the other hand, CBS said he’s a must play this week. Should I drop Arencibia for him??